‘Family Wanted’ ad featuring 5 Kansas siblings inspires overwhelming response

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KANSAS CITY — An unusual “wanted” ad in a Kansas City newspaper is catching the eyes and hearts of millions of people across the world.

Five Kansas siblings — ranging in age from 11 to 2 — are in search of something most people already have: parents. The kids were featured in a “Family Wanted” piece in the Kansas City Star earlier this month, and their heartwarming plea has since gone viral.

“These five siblings are in need of a loving family with an abundance of love, energy, kindness and patience,” the article reads.

The piece includes descriptions of each of the siblings. There’s quiet, 11-year-old Bradley, who loves music, math, science and soccer, according to the Star. Then comes Preston, 10, who loves animals and collecting Pokemon cards.

Eight-year-old Leyla is the oldest sister of the crew, according to the article. She’s “kind and caring and already planning to save sick or injured animals when she grows up,” the Star reported.

Landon, 6, is the runner in the family. He loves being outside and dreams of teaching PE, according to the article. The baby — 2-year-old Olive — is full of energy, but “when she slows down long enough she loves to be cuddled and held,” the Star reported.

The kids have been in separate foster homes since being taken from their mother’s custody about a year ago, according to People. Their wish is to be back together again, and judging from the response their “wanted” ad received, it appears it’s going to be granted.

“So many people were able to instantly see these children in their family, and after learning more about the kids by reading their bios, that desire to adopt them grew,” Teresa Freed with the Kansas Department for Children and Families told People.

Since the article was published in the Star, more than 4 million people have checked on their online adoption profile. Some 3,000 people have reached out about adopting them, Freed said.

“This is the most attention any single child or sibling set has received since (the agency) can remember,” Freed told ABC News.

The “Family Wanted” story in the Star has been inundated with comments from well-wishers and prospective parents.

“I will take them in with loving arms,” wrote one commenter. “Where do I sign?”

“I wish and pray that these fine children have a happy fulfilling journey and life together,” wrote another. “Power and love to these children!”

The response has been so huge, the kids’ profiles have been pulled from the Adopt Kansas Kids website, ABC reported.


“In 13-plus years of working here I’ve seen nothing like this.” - Corey Lada, Adopt Kansas Kids

“In 13-plus years of working here I’ve seen nothing like this,” Corey Lada, who works with the Kansas Children’s Service League to run Adopt Kansas Kids, told the Kansas City Star.

Freed told People that caseworkers are currently processing applications from seven families seriously looking to adopt the kids.

“This is a special group of children that will be a blessing to a special family, someday soon,” Freed told People.

Freed says that while she’s over the moon about the children’s bright future, she hopes the story will encourage people to open their hearts to other foster kids looking for a stable home.

“It’s our hope the tremendous outpouring of love for five unknown children will carry over to the hundreds of other children in Kansas who are currently waiting to be adopted,” she told People.


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Jessica Ivins
About the Author: Jessica Ivins -------------------------------

Jessica Ivins has three loves: her family, donuts and the news. She's been producing, writing and editing for KSL for more than 8 years, and doesn't plan to stop until she's 90. Jessica spends her free time running, eating and hiking her way through Seattle, where she lives with her husband and three children. Jessica can be reached at benjigur@gmail.com.

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